Reed led the group in a special prayer for the men and women who have served and are now serve in the military.

Marie George led the group in singing "Amazing Grace."

Chaplain Robert Chambers read Exodus 12:14 from the Bible, which stated "And this day shall be unto you for a memorial."

"The scriptures were referring to the safety of Israel, and about gratitude to God," Chambers said. "They were called upon to remember they had been delivered, and that is what we are doing here today. We have come to remember.

"It is a patriots duty to keep a nation free and strong. The veterans we honor today have done that with their lives. As we visit this gravesite, may we never forget what they have done to keep us free. We remember and honor the past, the present, and the future soldiers."

Janet Rolland gave a Monette Cemetery report. Deb Whited, Johnny Parrish, and Rolland serve on the Monette Cemetery Board and manage the upkeep and care of the cemetery. Shirley Bronaugh retired this month after serving on the committee for 51 years, and was unable to attend the memorial services.

"We depend upon donations, and sales of burial plots to maintain the cemetery," Rolland said. " It costs us about $15,000 a year to keep up the cemetery. We depend on sales of lots and donations to pay the cost of upkeep."

A special offering was taken for the cemetery at the close of the meeting.